BIBLOGRAPHY
Polacco, Patricia. 2009. IN OUR MOTHERS' HOUSE.New York: Phiomel Books. ISBN: 978-0-399-25076-7.
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a story about two women partners, Meema and Marmee, who adopt three children. The story is narrated by the eldest daughter who is African American. Her siblings are Will, oriental, and Millie, white with red hair. Meema is a doctor of Italian descent and loves to sew. Marmee is a paramedic and keeps the house organized and loves to clean. The story talks about how they play old records, slide down the banister, make memories in front of the clinker brick fireplace, learn to cook Gnocci with Nonno who is Meema’s father. The story also includes the character of Mrs. Lockner who does not like their family relationship and is very vocal about it especially at the neighborhood block party. The narrator describes the situation as that the children do not understand what the problem is all about. The story finishes with all three children marrying into a heterosexual relationship with someone who has similar skin tones and features. The narrator tells of the passing of Meema and Marmee and how Will now lives in the house and is raising his family.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This text covers a controversial subject matter with same sex parenting. The author does an excellent job at simply explaining everyday life with only a few incidents of less tolerant neighbors. It is positive that even the extended family is included in the story and the children have good memories of them. The story’s ending is interesting that all of the children marry and one of them moves into the house with his family. It is one way to show that same sex parents did not influence their children’s relationship decisions.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Children’s Literature – “The family "in our mothers' house" is like many others, filled with love and fun, clearly seen in the smiling characters on the jacket. It is unusual only in that there are two mothers.”
School Library Journal- “This gem of a book illustrates how love makes a family, even if it's not a traditional one. The narrator, a black girl, describes how her two Caucasian mothers, Marmee and Meema, adopted her, her Asian brother, and her red-headed sister. She tells about the wonderful times they have growing up in Berkeley, CA.”
CONNECTIONS
This book touches on controversial subject matter. As a teacher I would not bring this topic up on my own. If a student asked then a discussion about different types of families could follow.
Website - http://lesbianfamily.org/
Website - http://www.prideandjoyfamilies.org/
Website – P.F.L.A.G.- http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2
Kaeser, Gigi and Gillespie, Peggy. LOVE MAKES A FAMILY:PORTRIATS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ISBN: 1558491619.
Book cover image from Barnes & Noble.
Polacco, Patricia. 2009. IN OUR MOTHERS' HOUSE.New York: Phiomel Books. ISBN: 978-0-399-25076-7.
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a story about two women partners, Meema and Marmee, who adopt three children. The story is narrated by the eldest daughter who is African American. Her siblings are Will, oriental, and Millie, white with red hair. Meema is a doctor of Italian descent and loves to sew. Marmee is a paramedic and keeps the house organized and loves to clean. The story talks about how they play old records, slide down the banister, make memories in front of the clinker brick fireplace, learn to cook Gnocci with Nonno who is Meema’s father. The story also includes the character of Mrs. Lockner who does not like their family relationship and is very vocal about it especially at the neighborhood block party. The narrator describes the situation as that the children do not understand what the problem is all about. The story finishes with all three children marrying into a heterosexual relationship with someone who has similar skin tones and features. The narrator tells of the passing of Meema and Marmee and how Will now lives in the house and is raising his family.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This text covers a controversial subject matter with same sex parenting. The author does an excellent job at simply explaining everyday life with only a few incidents of less tolerant neighbors. It is positive that even the extended family is included in the story and the children have good memories of them. The story’s ending is interesting that all of the children marry and one of them moves into the house with his family. It is one way to show that same sex parents did not influence their children’s relationship decisions.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Children’s Literature – “The family "in our mothers' house" is like many others, filled with love and fun, clearly seen in the smiling characters on the jacket. It is unusual only in that there are two mothers.”
School Library Journal- “This gem of a book illustrates how love makes a family, even if it's not a traditional one. The narrator, a black girl, describes how her two Caucasian mothers, Marmee and Meema, adopted her, her Asian brother, and her red-headed sister. She tells about the wonderful times they have growing up in Berkeley, CA.”
CONNECTIONS
This book touches on controversial subject matter. As a teacher I would not bring this topic up on my own. If a student asked then a discussion about different types of families could follow.
Website - http://lesbianfamily.org/
Website - http://www.prideandjoyfamilies.org/
Website – P.F.L.A.G.- http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2
Kaeser, Gigi and Gillespie, Peggy. LOVE MAKES A FAMILY:PORTRIATS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ISBN: 1558491619.
Book cover image from Barnes & Noble.
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